Ateneo University Student Crowned Red Bull Basement World Champion, Bound for Silicon Valley

Manila, Philippines — Filipino ingenuity shines at the Red Bull Basement World Final as Aldrin Sojourner “Soj” Gamayon wins the title of world champion. Held last December 5 at Tokyo, Japan, the award ceremony was the penultimate event of a three-day affair for the Red Bull Basement World Final, bringing together the winning teams from about 40 countries.

Gamayon earned his win for his innovation, “AgriConnect.” This ingenious idea for an agriculture tracking app will allow even remote farmers to monitor their crops, build resilience, and increase yield. Gamayon claimed that this idea was inspired by his family.

“This means so much because I’m doing it beyond myself. I’m doing this for Filipino farmers,” Gamayon said of his win. “This wasn’t just about competing or winning. It’s about sharing moments and memories with people who are like-minded. I share this with all the other teams who are here.”

Following his win, Gamayon plans to head home and establish more partnerships in the Philippines. “It’s vital for the next steps for my startup (is) to get it out there, to develop partnerships or collaborations with people that could help me further the idea. I firmly believe that I could not do this alone, it takes a village. And, I’ll do whatever it takes to make it successful.”

Gamayon, who came from a rice-farming family, shared that the idea for “AgriConnect” was developed after he returned from his internship in Singapore. He said, “I wanted to make an impact for the Filipinos. I do acknowledge that flying to another country to study is a privilege and I feel that there is a responsibility for me to give back. Piecing that together with my experiences and the things I really feel strongly (about) led me to the farmers.”

He added. “It’s always (been) my mantra to build something greater than myself.”

Being the first-ever representative of the Philippines to the Red Bull Basement World Final, Gamayon said that he hopes his win will inspire more Filipinos to pursue their innovation and drive their sense of ingenuity forward. His advice to young, aspiring innovators is, “to not think, just do.” He explained that most people do not progress with their start-ups because they overthink. “Coming in to Red Bull Basement, I had so many different directions and ideas. But, it only started because I actually just did it.”

During the finals, Gamayon and the other Top 10 finalists pitched their ideas to the global judging panel which included Microsoft for Startups Head Hans Yang, Plug and Play Early-stage Investor Letizia Royo-Villanova, influential entrepreneur and business mentor Jun Yuh, “AMD Meet the Experts” Host and Producer Ryan Sagare, and Red Bull Cliff Diving athlete and entrepreneur Molly Carlson.

Gamayon’s Agriconnect outshone ideas ranging from Germany’s mental strength training app for athletes to Italy’s  sustainable vehicle battery designed to revolutionize the transport sector. As the Red Bull Basement World Champion, Gamayon is set to embark on an all-expenses-paid trip to Silicon Valley in California, USA for a three-week program of networking and mentorship with tech and VC leaders.

Over 110,000 entries were submitted across the world for Red Bull Basement 2024. The national winners flew to Tokyo for the Red Bull Basement World Final for the exclusive opportunity to represent their countries at the competition. The Red Bull Basement World Final featured intensive workshops, AI training, and networking opportunities with international entrepreneurs, innovators, coaches, and business leaders. This included Red Bull esports professional and founder of several businesses Amar Al Naimi and Microsoft Corporate Vice President for Data, AI, and Digital Applications Jessica Hawk, and many more.

What Does a Sustainable Future Look Like?

Imagine a world powered by the sun, the ultimate source of life. As climate change worsens due to fossil fuel use, sustainable energy alternatives are more crucial than ever. The Philippines, with its abundant sunlight, is uniquely positioned to harness solar power and help combat climate change. In 2024, Manila experienced around 4,440 hours of daylight, which translates to a significant potential for solar energy production.

SM Prime recognized this potential early on. In 2014, SM North EDSA became the first commercial property in the Philippines to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on its roof, achieving the largest installation in Southeast Asia at the time. This move signaled the beginning of SM Prime’s commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan explains, “SM’s environmental sustainability began with energy and water conservation. Revolutionizing our malls’ energy efficiency through renewable sources magnifies our responsibility to serving people and the planet.”

Today, SM Supermalls operates 44 malls with solar PV systems, generating a combined peak energy of 51.6 megawatts (MW). The largest installation is at SM City Santa Rosa. With a total of 96,000 solar panels across malls in Luzon and Visayas, SM Prime holds the Philippines’ largest solar energy portfolio, covering around 33 hectares. These efforts are a vital part of the company’s Net Zero by 2040 strategy, aimed at reducing its carbon footprint.

This 51.6 MW capacity significantly cuts carbon emissions, providing clean energy that powers thousands of homes or removes thousands of cars from the roads. It also reduces the need for coal, offering environmental benefits for both the planet and local communities.

The solar power generated directly fuels essential mall operations like lighting and escalators, reducing SM Supermalls' reliance on the national grid. This, in turn, helps stabilize the power supply, reducing the risk of outages and easing the burden on electricity providers. By tapping into clean, renewable energy, SM Prime is contributing to a more sustainable future for the Philippines.

SM Prime’s sustainability efforts extend beyond solar energy. The company also focuses on waste management, water conservation, and air quality initiatives, all designed to minimize environmental impact. Through these comprehensive measures, SM Prime strives to create a positive change while ensuring responsible, innovative operations.

In sum, SM Prime’s large-scale adoption of solar PV systems, combined with its broader environmental initiatives, exemplifies its dedication to creating a sustainable future for the Philippines. By leading in renewable energy and sustainability, SM Prime is helping pave the way for a cleaner, greener, and brighter tomorrow.

New Year, New Travels: Sun Life to Bring Clients to More Destinations this 2025

MANILA, PH – January 2025 – The new year brings a fresh wave of travel goals for many Filipinos who seek new adventures this 2025. This is especially true for two Sun Life Clients, Juan Carlo “JC” Bernardo and Ricky De Borja, who have each won a travel voucher worth PHP 100,000.  

 

Winning Big with Play for Life 

 

In line with the launch of Sun Life’s original game, Play for Life: A Game of Choices, they held a special promo that gives Clients a chance to win Giftaway vouchers and the grand prize of a travel voucher to Japan worth PHP 100,000.  

 

JC Bernardo, an employee who enjoys gaming during his free time, decided to try the online version of Sun Life’s Play for Life: A Game of Choices. He played it, successfully reached his goal in the game, and submitted his raffle entry, not expecting to win. However, months later, he woke up to several missed calls from his Sun Life advisor, Queenie Gorospe. She was calling to let JC know that he was the grand winner of the PHP 100,000 travel voucher to Japan from the Play for Life promo. 

 

“When I got the call, it didn’t sink in at first because I wasn’t expecting to win the promo at all; I just wanted to try the game,” said JC. “With my busy schedule and graveyard shift, it can get very hard to travel. I’m usually only able to go to local destinations. But with this prize, I will definitely take the  opportunity to explore Japan with my partner, Jane. It will be our first international trip together, which makes it even more special.” 

 

 

A Bright Win with the Bright Quiz 

 

Every month, Sun Life releases a trivia question about insurance and investments to Clients via an email newsletter, and by answering the question, Clients automatically qualify for the Bright Quiz raffle draw. In this promo, they have a chance to win Giftaway vouchers and the grand prize of a travel voucher to any local destination of their choice worth PHP 100,000. 

 

Ricky De Borja, an architect working remotely, was the lucky winner of this promo. And after confirming from his Sun Life advisor, Abbey Aquino, that he was, indeed, the winner, he and his wife immediately knew that they wanted to use the travel voucher on a trip to Boracay. 

 

“This will be a new experience for my family because it will be our first time going to Boracay,” said Ricky. “We love to travel as a family, and this prize came just in time because this trip will be our graduation gift for our daughter. I would like to thank Sun Life and my advisor, Abbey, for the opportunity to travel to a new destination this year.” 

 

Sun Life encourages everyone to prioritize their financial well-being, knowing that these efforts can unlock amazing opportunities. These winners’ stories serve as an inspiration, reminding us that with the right planning and a little bit of luck, dreams can truly become a reality. 

 

To learn more about Sun Life’s products, services, and promos, follow @SunLifePH on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok or visit www.sunlife.com.ph.